Many outdoor
café and restaurant owners have little trouble finding the right furniture
cushion colour and style to complement their outdoor deck design. However, what’s
even more important to consider is whether the cushions are waterproof.
Why?
That’s
because even if your restaurant deck has awning, it’s not enough to keep your outdoor
furniture cushion safe from the elements.
The fact is
not all outdoor furniture cushions are waterproof. Better designs though are
water-resistant; but still, they are no match for Australia’s harsh and
changeable weather.
Australia
is known for its extreme weather conditions, where it can be scorching hot one
moment and rainy or freezing the next. If you’re not careful about your choice
of outdoor furniture cushions, especially in making sure they are made of
waterproof materials, your once beautiful cushions can quickly turn into a
soggy and saggy heap.
Here, you
have two options. You can either waterproof your furniture cushions or replace
them with waterproof ones.
Waterproofing your outdoor furniture cushions
In the
outdoor restaurant business, having waterproof outdoor furniture cushions will prevent
your customers from accidentally soaking their clothes and ensure your restaurant
deck will always be ready to use anytime and in any weather. For this project you
will need a waterproofing spray.
Now the
process of waterproofing your outdoor furniture cushions follows these simple
steps:
1. Clean
the cushions, as dirt will render your waterproofing spray ineffective
2. Allow
them to dry thoroughly
3. Lay the
cushions on a clean flat surface
4. Hold the
spray can between six and eight inches above the cushions
5. Spray
evenly and make sure the entire surface is covered in waterproofing material
without oversaturating it
6. Leave
them for about an hour and then apply a second coat
7. After
the second coat, allow the cushions to dry thoroughly for about three to four
hours
8. Flip
them over and then do the other side as well
Waterproofing
your cushions this way is not permanent. Depending on the quality of the spray
you used or type of fabric, how often you may need to reapply waterproofing can
vary. Generally though, reapplication of waterproofing material is needed every
season.
What materials to choose for your outdoor
furniture cushions
Outdoor
furniture cushions vary as to the type of materials they’re made of. So
considering that your cushions will be exposed to the elements, it is important
to buy only those that are waterproof. Otherwise, the extremes in the
Australian climate will surely damage them.
As a
reputable café or restaurant owner, you can’t compromise on the quality of your
cushions, outdoor restaurant chairs, stools, Metro 8 seat table and outdoor
café bar stools. Your customers always deserve the best.
So here’s
an important tip: When choosing waterproof furniture cushions for your outdoor
café or restaurant, check that the filling and inner lining are waterproof as
well.
Cotton canvas outdoor café chair cushions
Canvas, although
relatively plain-looking, is a sturdy inexpensive material and is ideal for
many outdoor applications such as outdoor café stool or restaurant chair
cushions. Also they come in many attractive colours.
However, as
canvas isn’t inherently waterproof, you need to treat it with waterproof spray
before using.
Vinyl cushions for your outdoor restaurant
chairs, tools and tables
Another
popular outdoor furniture cushion material is polyvinyl chloride or simply vinyl.
One advantage vinyl has over most other materials is that it is in itself
waterproof, ideal for outdoor applications. Its major drawback though is that
vinyl being plastic makes it quite uncomfortable for use in direct skin contact
– especially in warm weather.
Duck cloth outdoor furniture cushion
This type
of fabric is sometimes mistaken for canvas, due to its similar construction,
except that duck cloth’s weave is noticeably tighter when comparing them side
by side. Although a bit more expensive than cotton canvas, duck cloth’s tighter
weave also makes it more durable than cotton.
Duck
cloth’s one disadvantage though is it’s much harder to dye or customise than
cotton. If printing your own design on the material is a big thing for you, you
may find cotton more to your liking. Now, just like cotton canvas, duck cloth
needs to be treated with waterproofing spray for outdoor use.
Olefin fibre waterproof café stool cushions
Olefin
fibre or polypropylene is synthetic material valued by outdoor café owners for
its durability and low maintenance qualities. Olefin is able to resist sun,
heat, moulds, moisture and rain with ease. So if you’re thinking of getting
maintenance free outdoor furniture cushions, then olefin is your fabric of
choice.
Textilene waterproof cushions for outdoor café
stools, tables and chairs
If you’re
looking for fade resistant, sun resistant and waterproof material for your
outdoor cushions, this is one of the best you’ll ever find. Textiline is PVC
coated polyester fabric ideal for outdoor restaurant chairs, stools and
furniture. Also its waterproof and sunproof properties make it ideal for sun
shades and sling seating.
As if those
benefits are not enough, textiline is flame retardant as well as mould
resistant. However, considering that this material is synthetic, it’s not as
comfortable as say cotton canvas or duck cloth.
Weighing your options
If all
you’re looking for is outdoor furniture cushions that are safe, functional and waterproof,
all of these materials will do an excellent job in keeping your customers happy
and loyal. Your decision in this matter will tend to affect more your brand
image, reflected through your tastes and personality.
Also don’t
underestimate the importance of maintenance. Just because your fabric isn’t
susceptible to moulds doesn’t mean you don’t have to wipe them down after rain.
Whichever type of material you choose, giving your outdoor waterproof furniture
cushions proper care and maintenance will help lengthen their life.
Where to go for high quality outdoor café
chairs, tables, stools and cushions
If your restaurant or café is located in Sydney or Brisbane, you’re in
luck.
Table and ChairExpress are here to
help you to keep your restaurant and café chairs, restaurant and café bar stools,
and restaurant and café tables at par with the latest styling while offering
their assistance in keeping them properly maintained.
We are your one-stop shop for high quality yet affordable restaurant and
café furniture, where everything you buy is backed with a two-year warranty.
Table and ChairExpress offer free
freight to Brisbane and Sydney metro areas, and excellent freight rates to all
other cities and regions throughout Australia.
Call us today on 1300 998 780
